‘Well, I shan’t go, at any rate,’ said Alice: ‘besides, that’s not a

regular rule: you invented it just now.’ 🔊

‘It’s the oldest rule in the book,’ said the King.

‘Then it ought to be Number One,’ said Alice. 🔊

The King turned pale, and shut his note-book hastily. ‘Consider your

verdict,’ he said to the jury, in a low, trembling voice. 🔊

‘There’s more evidence to come yet, please your Majesty,’ said the White

Rabbit, jumping up in a great hurry; ‘this paper has just been picked

up.’ 🔊

‘What’s in it?’ said the Queen. 🔊

‘I haven’t opened it yet,’ said the White Rabbit, ‘but it seems to be a

letter, written by the prisoner to--to somebody.’ 🔊

‘It must have been that,’ said the King, ‘unless it was written to

nobody, which isn’t usual, you know.’ 🔊

‘Who is it directed to?’ said one of the jurymen. 🔊

‘It isn’t directed at all,’ said the White Rabbit; ‘in fact, there’s

nothing written on the outside.’ 🔊 He unfolded the paper as he spoke, and

added ‘It isn’t a letter, after all: it’s a set of verses.’ 🔊